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Agent Orange was a powerful herbicide and defoliant used by the U.S. military during the Vietnam War. Agent Orange got its name due to the orange identifying stripe used on the 55-gallon drums in which it was stored. Following the Vietnam War, Agent Orange would be linked to multiple health conditions

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From 1962 to 1971, the U.S. military sprayed approximately 20 million gallons of herbicides over Vietnam as part of Operation Ranch Hand. The purpose of Operation Ranch Hand was to defoliate forests and destroy crops in Vietnam and parts of Laos and Cambodia to expose enemy positions and reduce their food supply

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The spraying of Agent Orange destroyed approximately 5 million acres of forests and crops. The reason it was able to destroy this much was because of a chemical found in Agent Orange known as Dioxin, which contaminated the water and soil affecting wildlife and human health.

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U.S. veterans exposed to Agent Orange have reported numerous health issues, including various types of cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. Many diseases are now recognized by the VA as being presumed to be related to exposure to Agent Orange while serving in the military.

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Veterans' Diseases Associated with Agent Orange - Public Health

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Information on diseases VA has recognized are related to Veterans' exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides during military service, also known as presumptive diseases

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Exposure to Agent Orange has impacted Vietnamese people for generations. In heavily sprayed areas, reports of birth abnormalities, developmental issues, and various malignancies have been made. It's estimated that up to 4 million Vietnamese people were exposed to the chemical.

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In 1984, chemical companies settled a class-action lawsuit by U.S. veterans for $180 million. Vietnamese victims, meanwhile, have had less luck getting recompense. Since then, the United States has pledged millions of dollars to support Vietnam's efforts to clean up dioxin.

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Apply for and manage the VA benefits and services you’ve earned as a Veteran, Servicemember, or family member—like health care, disability, education, and more.

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Studies have shown that Agent Orange contaminated the soil and water systems in many areas of Vietnam. The dioxin can remain in the environment for many years, continuing to pose risks to both ecosystems and human health.

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Agent Orange: Haft-Century Effects On The Vietnamese Wildlife Have Been Ignored

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The application of more than
91 million liters of Agent Orange in Vietnam defoliated ∼3.1
million hectares of biologically diverse tropical forests and mangroves
from Quang Tri to Ca Mau (>1000 km) in 1961–1971. The last
application of Agent Orange in Vietnam was over for at least five
decades, yet more than 4 million people, particularly local people
and veterans have suffered and died from various types of cancers
and congenital disabilities1 (see also
the references in Supporting Information (SI) S1). A persistent and long-lasting effect component of Agent
Orange is 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (2,3,7,8-tetraCDD),
the most toxic congener of dioxin. Dioxin and dioxin-like substances
are still on the list of 10 chemicals of concern of the World Health
Organization of the United Nations.2 So
far, the dioxin effects on exposed people have lasted for at least
three generations.3 The levels of dioxin
in the breast milk of women4 and serum
of men5 in sprayed regions are still several
times higher than in those in nonsprayed areas, suggesting the potential
effects for the next generation(s) to come.